Weather forecasting experts?
Scripture reading for March 19: Luke 12
“He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and so it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:54-56
After 78 years (today is my birthday) of observing the earth and sky and experience various weather patterns, I have a basic sense of what weather to expect from certain sky conditions. An old saying my mom always had from growing up was “Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning! Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” As a farmer in my earlier days, we were always concerned with the weather and how it affected the work for the day and the development of crops or the need to harvest. It was no different in Jesus’ day. But Jesus was using this natural tendency to predict weather using sensory data as a warning about the need for awareness of spiritual times and seasons.
Jesus called the people who could read the weather signs but chose not to understand the spiritual signs ‘hypocrites.’ Jesus was warning them that signs of the ‘storm’ of God’s judgment were evident to the discerning. They had better make things right with God before that day arrived. The times we are living in are full of biblical signs of Christ’s soon return. The discerning are preparing their own souls and warning others, calling them to repentance and faith. Will Jesus find us in faith when He comes?
Do you know how to interpret this present time in which we are living? What signs of the end time judgment has God revealed to you? Will Jesus commend you for your faith and discernment or call you a hypocrite when He comes?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus revealing to us the signs of the times so that we might prepare and warn others. Open my eyes each day and let the light of Your Word illuminate my path and reveal the coming storm. Use me to warn my family, friends, and neighbors with godly discernment. Amen.
Know the true light!
Scripture reading for March 18: Luke 11
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 11:33-36
The setting of this teaching revolved around Jesus casting out a demon from a man who was mute. The man was instantly delivered and began to talk. But some people said that Jesus cast out the demon by Beelzebul, who was considered by the Jews to be the prince of demons. (Luke 11:14-20) Jesus carefully explained that no kingdom divided against itself could stand. The casting out of that demon was by the ‘finger of God’ and demonstrated that the powerful kingdom of God was in their midst. Satan’s kingdom of darkness is always trying to twist the light of truth and keep people in darkness. Unredeemed man loves darkness and refused to come to the light. (John 3:19)
Jesus used the example of a lamp being lit to drive out darkness. The lamp would be put on a stand to help everyone see. The eye is the lamp of our body as well. If our eye is healthy, it allows light to come into the body that we might see things clearly. If our eye is bad, our lives will be dominated by darkness. From these simple illustrations, Jesus warned those judging Him as using Satan’s power to cast out demons, that their ‘eyes’ were ‘bad’ and they really were living in darkness. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) Jesus is the Light of the world and in Him is no darkness at all or shadow of turning. (John 8:12) Healthy eyes are a necessity for a godly worldview.
Have you ever judged someone to be evil when they were actually sharing truth? When you take a spiritual eye exam, how would you rate the quality of light in your own soul? Are there areas of ‘darkness’ that you need to invite Jesus to shine His light on?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are the Light of the world. Thank You for Your Word as light in my life. Cleanse me of any darkness by bringing Jesus’ Word to my eyes and heart. Use me to reflect Your light through my daily life of faith and witness. Amen.
Choosing the good portion!
Scripture reading for March 17: Luke 10
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:38-42
Jesus and His disciples were welcomed into the home of a woman named Martha and her sister Mary. Wherever He went, Jesus was teaching, preaching the Good News, and bringing the kingdom near to those who heard Him. Now serving is honorable in the kingdom, for Jesus taught that greatness in His kingdom was to become a servant of all and He modeled servanthood. (Luke 22:27) But Mary, Martha’s sister, had chosen to sit at Jesus’ feet and take in His teaching rather than help Martha with providing the needs of the disciples and Jesus. Martha was ‘distracted’ by serving. Jesus gave her a word of correction. The most important part of any life is to spend time with Jesus and to serve out of that relationship. It is easy to judge others and feel sorry for ourselves.
Many times, those in Christ’s church get distracted by serving. It is said that twenty percent of the church members do the bulk of the work to meet the needs of caring for the people and property. Pastors can be among the most distracted! Good works can be the distraction that takes us away from a deeper walk with our Lord. Jesus is calling His followers to see our priorities in light of His world view. We must evaluate our choices and our attitude as we serve and our critical judgment of others.
This simple story causes us to examine our hearts. Have you prioritized spending time daily sitting at Jesus’ feet? As you make decisions today about how to use the time allotted, what changes come to mind that would help you eliminate the distractions? What attitude do I hold as I serve the Lord and others?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this simple story. As I read it, I am convicted of my own distractions by doing work of serving. Forgive me for not choosing the good portion of sitting at Your feet before serving. Teach me to be a great servant through Your Word and example. Amen.
Rebuked by Jesus
Scripture reading for March 14: Luke 9
“When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. And He sent messengers ahead of Him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for Him. But the people did not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.” Luke 9:51-56
Jesus had been consistently revealing to His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem where He would die and be raised on the third day. As the time drew near, He ‘set His face’ towards Jerusalem. He saw His destination and divine purpose clearly. The disciples still did not see as Jesus saw. (Luke 9:44-45) Their minds were still set in the Jewish culture and their religious understanding from the Law and Prophets. Jesus chose to go to Jerusalem through Samaritan territory. His ministry was to all peoples and nations. But the Samaritans were a mixture of Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. There was jealousy and religious hostility in their culture, and they refused hospitality to Jesus and His disciples because they were Jews going to Jerusalem for Passover.
James and John, the messengers sent by Jesus, were indignant over the religious attitude of the Samaritans in refusing hospitality. They went to Jesus with a proposal–calling down fire on these Samaritans and destroying them on the spot! They likely got this idea from the prophet Elijah who called down fire on his enemies. (2 Kings 1:10) The forgot Jesus’ teaching to love your enemies and do good to them or just to leave and shake the dust off as a witness against them. (Luke 9:5) Jesus rebuke them and they went to another village that would receive them. Adopting Jesus’ worldview often takes time and some failures can be teaching points!
Have you ever wanted to get even with someone who has mistreated you or your family? Have you tried to use Scripture to justify your attitude or actions? Are there actions that you need to take in repentance to adopt Jesus’ worldview?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for wanting vengeance on those who have mistreated me. Thank You for rebuking me when I have wrongly used Scripture to justify my attitude or actions. Teach me to love my enemies and do good to those who mistreat me. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Amen.
Seeing life with faith
Scripture reading for March 13: Luke 8
“While He was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when He came to the house, He allowed no one to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but He said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at Him, knowing she was dead. But taking her by the hand, He called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once.” Luke 8:49-55
Jesus Christ was constantly at work, doing His Father’s will. He saw the world He lived in from God’s perspective and asked the Father for His will. He was constantly calling His disciples to see each person and situation through eyes of faith. In this recorded incident, Jesus was approached by a ruler in the synagogue for help with his only daughter who was dying. Jesus immediately agreed to go to his home. He was interrupted on the way by a woman who reached out to touch His garment, believing that if she could just touch His garment, she would be healed of an embarrassing illness. Jesus took time to call her out and declare that her faith had healed her body! But then the news of the daughter’s death reached the father, Jairus, and Jesus. Jesus called Jairus to give up fear and believe, promising healing.
Upon arrival, there was a crowd of mourners. Jesus told them not to weep because she was only sleeping. They ‘knew’ she was dead, and laughed at Jesus! Jesus saw her awakening, the crowd saw no life. Jesus took only Peter, James, and John and the parents to where the child lay. He simply spoke with authority, “Child, arise.” All were amazed as the child got up! In the world view of faith, all things are possible to those who believe!
Have you ever thought you knew something to be true, only to find out it wasn’t as you believed? In this story, who would you most identify with: Jairus or the crowd of mourners? Why do you think Jesus limited those who would witness this miracle?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing patience and call to us to have faith in You and Your Word. Forgive me for seeing things only in the natural wisdom and world view. Invite me to join You as You minister to those in impossible situations and increase my faith! Amen.
Love much? or little?
Scripture reading for March 12: Luke 7
“Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven–for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”” Luke 7:44-48
Jesus had been invited to the house of a Pharisee and was reclining at table with him. As He was seated, a woman of the city entered the house and knelt down at Jesus’ feet and began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipe the dust off with her hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them from the alabaster flask of oil. The Pharisee was observing and judging Jesus in his own heart. He reasoned that if Jesus was a prophet, He should know what kind of a sinful woman this was. The real question was how did this religious leader know! Jesus told him a short story about two debtors who had been forgiven a small and a large amount. Jesus asked him which one would love the man who forgave them more? He responded logically, the one being forgiven the most debt.
Jesus then applied the story to this sinful woman and her attitude and actions, comparing them with the Pharisee who had invited Him to dinner. Jesus liked to use stories that helps us see our own sins and sinful attitudes that are hidden by pride. We read or hear the story, and the story reads us. The bottom line here is that all of us are in need of great mercy and forgiveness. Until we can humble ourselves like this sinful woman and appeal to Jesus for mercy, we will not be forgiven. If we are not forgiven, we cannot love God or His Son in return. He who has been forgiven much, loves much! If our world view is centered on judging others, we can not love them or God!
Have you ever judged someone else as not worthy to be around Jesus or God’s people based on their reputation, dress, or attitude? In what ways did the woman show her humility and thankfulness for Jesus? If you have received Christ’s forgiveness for great sin, what could you do to show your love?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for demonstrating Your love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Lord, help me to understand how much I have been forgiven of and increase my love for You and for those You died for. Forgive me for judging others and not showing Your love and mercy. Amen.
The upside-down kingdom!
Scripture reading for March 11: Luke 6
“And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”” Luke 6:20-23
After a great healing meeting where power had come out of Him and brought deliverance from demons and healing for all, Jesus looked to heaven and began to speak to His disciples. Jesus pronounced blessings on those of His followers who were poor, hungry, weeping and those hated and reviled because of Him. He told them that they should rejoice and leap for joy now in faith! Their reward in heaven would far exceed the troubles that they were now experiencing. In fact, they were in good company because this is how their own relatives had treated the prophets sent to them by God.
Jesus was teaching them about the invisible kingdom of God and their privilege to be a part of that kingdom. In spite of how it might look or feel, they were blessed and would be rewarded. People of faith had always been subject to persecution, hatred, exclusion, and even famine and sorrows and even death. The prophets of God had experienced this as well, even from the Israelites forefathers. These truths told them of an upside-down kingdom where what the world thought of as punishment was actually going to be rewarded. Jesus Christ, Himself, would model this attitude of joy and blessing as He suffered as the Son of God and our Savior.
As a believer in Jesus, have you ever suffered for your faith? Do you find it hard to rejoice and leap for joy when people hate you and revile you? Which one of these blessings pronounced by Jesus Christ do you most need in your life today?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I don’t enjoy being hungry, weeping, or being hated by others because of Jesus Christ as my Lord. My experience has been limited of these things happening, but I have visited lands where it is dangerous to be a believer. Help me to live in hope and joy so I might share the Gospel by my attitude, actions and joyful life. Amen.
The power of the Lord
Scripture reading for March 10: Luke 5
“On one of those days, as He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst of Jesus. And when He saw their faith, He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God Alone?”” Luke 5:17-21
As Jesus continued preaching in all the towns and villages of Galilee and Judea, miracles of healing and deliverance from demons were being seen every day. Jesus’ authority over evil spirit and sickness drew big crowds of people and it was recorded that He healed all who were brought to Him. Luke, a physician, noted in this passage that ‘the power of the Lord was with Him to heal.’
Here, some men had brought a paralyzed friend to Jesus. The crowd was so big that they carried this man on his bed up on the roof of the building where Jesus was ministering. They removed some tiles and lowered the bed with ropes. Luke recorded that when Jesus saw their faith, He released the man by declaring his sins were forgiven. This caused a stir among the religious leaders who were following Him, evaluating His every move. They accused Jesus of blasphemy, presuming He had no authority to forgive sins. They were sure that Jesus was not ‘God’. To help their unbelief, Jesus gave the man a simple command: “Rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (Luke 5:24) Immediately, the man obeyed, glorifying God and amazing all present.
Have you ever been to a service or church meeting where “the power of the Lord was present to heal?” If you were there, how did the event that took place affect your world-view or understanding of who Jesus is? Which is more important: healing the paralysis or forgiveness of sins?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to live in us who believe in Your Son Jesus. Anoint us with faith to receive the power to heal and to respond in faith to those who are hurting and trusting in Jesus. May we also be concerned with the forgiveness of sins, necessary for salvation. Amen.
“It is written”
Scripture reading for March 7: Luke 4
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, He was hungry. The devil said to him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.'” Luke 4:1-4
Immediately after Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended on Him and God confirmed His Sonship and pleasure. The Holy Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness for a forty day period of testing. These forty days mirrored the forty years of Israel’s testing in that same wilderness and the forty days of taunting by Goliath. During these forty days of isolation in the Judean wilderness, Jesus ate no food. He voluntarily fasted and purposely drew near to His Father and meditated on His Word. The power and comfort of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual manna of God’s Word provided all that was needed for Jesus to maintain strength and health.
It is recorded that after the forty days, Jesus was hungry. At this point, the devil called out to Him with a taunt: “If You are the Son of God . . .”. The devil was tempting Jesus to use His position and supernatural power to meet His need in contradiction to God’s Word: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (“but by every Word that comes from God’s mouth.” Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus chose to live by God’s Word and refuse the devil’s suggestion. Unlike the Israelites, Jesus did not succumb to Satan’s temptation. Unlike the Israelites who cowered for forty days because of Goliath’s taunts, Jesus stood on God’s Truth. Jesus’ world view put God first and not His own needs or desires. His fasting and focus brought God’s Word out of His mouth.
Have you or are you currently going through a time of testing? Are you currently filled with the Holy Spirit or just depending on your own strength? What priority does God’s Word have in your handling of this testing? How does this passage give you tools to help you overcome all temptations and fear?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for testing our faith and trust in You and Your Word. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift, to empower each person to draw near to God and meditate on His Word. Bring overcoming power to each one going through testing that they may declare: “It is written!” Amen!
“What shall we do?”
Scripture reading for March 6: Luke 3
“. . .during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. . . .And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And He said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And He said to them, do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be content with your wages.”” Luke 3:2-3, 10-14
When the time was right, John the Baptist received the Word of God in the wilderness. He responded by preaching as instructed a call to repentance and water baptism for all for forgiveness of sins. As the people heard the message, they asked John specifically what repentance would look like for them. To each inquirer, John gave a specific answer as the Word of God came to him. We might call John’s answers a “Word of knowledge given through the Holy Spirit.” Each person then had the opportunity to respond to the instructions and submit to water baptism as an act of faith that they had repented and received cleansing.
As we ponder John’s ministry and also that of Jesus and His disciples, we can see that as the Word of God is preached and declared, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin and our need of righteousness and of the coming judgment on unforgiven sin. We know our own guilt and also cry out to God for mercy and a new pathway of obedience. Repentance is more than being sorry for sin. Repentance asks God for mercy and then sets a new direction of obedience and faith in God’s Word. What we once did as the world, we now have turned from and do what God helps us to do through the Word and Holy Spirit.
Have you ever heard God’s Word preached and experienced conviction of sin? What was your response to the conviction? Did you ask God, “What then shall I do?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing Word and those that You have called to proclaim it. Thank You for the example of John the Baptist and his ministry. Empower me daily to share Your Word with those You send me to. May they ask “What then shall we do?” as the Holy Spirit draws them to godly sorrow and repentance. Amen.